Davey Duck and his twin Dave!

Today is the first day of summer. Nothing says summer like the Lake Terramuggus Triathlon Series. I hope you have come to love it as much as we have. I love the routine of it. For this family, the journey brings us through the rush hour of Middletown and over the river and through the woods to Marlborough. We gather, hobnob, tinker, have some laughs, swim around a duck, hear some clunky gear changes, get passed or dethrone someone if your feeling lucky. The run around the lake is usually followed up with a cold PBR thanks to Bill's exquisite taste in beverages. As it all unfolds, I click the shutter again and again. The pictures are always kinda the same, some blurry, some not; but that's ok because it's the history of us and the people that fill the world we love. What makes it precious is that we know this summer tradition is always fleeting. We feel the chill early on as we set off for June's first race. In the blink of an eye, we feel July's oppressive heat only to have August come and sense fall creeping upon our tanned summer shoulders. So I take these shots, to capture the short magical time when we feel like kids again, riding our banana-seat bikes around the neighborhood. For the old dogs, things narily have changed since their youth as they try to stake their claim as king or queen of the neighborhood. The bikes have just gotten more stealthy and the saddles shorter. These old dogs often look over their shoulders only to see the new kids on the block chasing them down. It's not a vicious circle, but a welcome one that gives life a sensible pattern. Enjoy this because before you finish that cold PBR, we'll be longing for for this season again. Racking one's bike is no different than hanging stockings on the mantle. It's the home of nostagia. This is your own personal Norman Rockwell scene. Remember to smile and thank those that make it all happen: The town of Marlborough, sponsors, lifeguards, Billy, Diane and crew, and that person pointing you in the right direction. They're suppling you with the memories that will carry you through. Happy summer, happy racing!